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Abstract

The purposes of this paper are to acquaint readers with a number of existing approaches to the problem of woman battering and to examine clinical interventions against the background of several relevant sociological theories. Specifically, techniques for counseling female victims and male batterers are discussed from the perspectives of symbolic interactionism and critical theory. Symbolic interactionism provides an understanding of the self concepts and definitions of the situation which perpetuate abusive relationships, and suggests how they might be changed. Critical theory calls attention to the unequal power relations underlying systematically distorted communication, which can be addressed by interventions "enlightening" and "empowering" battered women.